Three-times Pro Bowler Jevon Kearse returned to the Tennessee Titans after signing a multi-year contract.

Defensive end Kearse, a 31-year-old who was released by the Philadelphia Eagles last week, was a first-round draft selection by the Titans in 1999.

"Jevon is a piece of the puzzle in trying to fill the defensive end need that we have," Titans general manager Mike Reinfeldt said.

"Our expectation for him is to rush the passer in a limited number of snaps. He has always been a dynamic edge rusher and we want to put him in those situations."

Kearse, the 16th overall selection in the 1999 draft, made an immediate impact in the league before earning rookie of the year honours.

He registered 36 sacks in his first three seasons with the Titans to become one of the NFL's most feared pass rushers.

Kearse joined the Eagles in March 2004 on an eight-year contract estimated to be worth $66 million before being cut a week ago on the eve of the league's free agency signing period.

He has struggled with injuries over the last two seasons, missing most of his 2006 campaign because of a knee injury and recording only 3-½ sacks in 14 games last year.

Reuters